Coat – the gene – maintenance – appearance
As mentioned, the gene that causes the curly coat is dominant unlike the recessive gene in the Devon and Cornish Rexes. This means at least half the litter will be born with curly hair if outcrossed. The Rex type coat harks back to a king who had a curly haired rabbit. He was King Albert I of Belgium (1875-1934).
He entered his rabbits into a competition and didn’t win as the coat was unusual but the Latin word for king, “Rex”, was marked against his rabbits. The genetic mutation resulting in the LaPerm cat’s coat is also not the same as the gene that causes the curly hair of the Selkirk Rex. Also the Selkirk was bred with Persians, Exotic Shorthairs and British Shorthairs resulting in the same health issues that are found in these breeds. This is not the case with the Laperm cat.
The gene is provisionally denoted by the term “Lp”. Each cat has its own distinct brand of curly hair. The coat can have ringlets or a wavy texture. The coat is not silky but soft. It “drags” on the hand like mohair. The coat develops over the first 6 months so it is difficult to predict the final appearance in the early months. The coat should be cared for carefully. The coat should be brushed and combed regularly, especially the longh-aired breeds. Bathing after brushing refreshes the curl and does not damage it. It is inadvisable to use a blow drier; simply towel off and air dry. This is also said to be a low maintenance breed.
It is said that some LaPerms can become bald “at some point”. Young cats and females before their first breeding suffer this more usually than other cats. The curly coat returns and straight haired LaPerms develop curly hair at this stage. This type of fur is not unique to this breed of cat or cats generally. It is found for example on rabbits, hamsters and horses. The head should be broad, modified wedge with a prominent muzzle. The neck should be long and carried vertically. The body is medum-boned, muscular and heavy for the cat’s size. The legs are medium in length and muscular. The paws are round and medium sized. The tail is long and tapering with wavy hair.
Above: LaPerm Cat – Red – copyright © Helmi Flick
I’ve changed that and cleaned up one of the links to your site too. Take care.
Thanks Anthony, I’ll change this now.
Please note that the website of the LaPerm Cat Club has changed to http://www.lapermcatclub.com
Yes, but please remember to spell the name like this: LaPerm. That is the way breeders of this cat like to spell it and other people in the cat fancy.
La perm cats have curly fur. La perm cats are cute.